It’s funny when we see a fictional character on twitter. We chuckle if Darth Vader or Indiana Jones tweets at us. Technically, the producers and writers of those films could get those accounts suspended. But they don’t- because they are either lazy (no shame!), or they like that their pop culture contribution lives on through modern technology. But do you know who is less accepting of fake twitter accounts? Celebrities. They encourage you to be a fan, but not to be them. Read on to see who has spoken out about these fakers.

Sometimes we forget that famous people can have as many hang-up’s as anyone else. Just because they get free designer jewelry and walk red-carpet events doesn’t mean they don’t mind a little identity theft. Part of it might have to do with their image, and who would want their reputation ruined by a faker? The other part of the problem might lie with the basic fact that no one wants to have themselves stolen away. (It tends to breed a sense of powerlessness, which is why we could never enter Witness Protection and have to change our names and histories!)

When celebrities in general become such personal property, the actual celebrity finds themselves bidding in a metaphorical eBay situation for none other than themselves.

The most interesting thing about the Dial Star web series is something we discovered when we watched an Annalynne McCord (90210) interview from one of those morning shows. It turns out there was a very strong person that she took on the Dial Star project. McCord said, “The reason I wanted to do it (the show) was – it was an opportunity for me to kinda speak out to a lot of my friends in young hollywood (about having to) deal with the twitter (and) facebook impersonators. And it’s like, I know imitation is the highest form of flattery, but – stealing ones identity is totally different!” She added, “It is illegal. And I actually don’t even have my own name as my twitter account, because someone else already had it. And she’s like ‘who’s that b*tch? Tell IAMannalynncc that she needs to get off twitter!,’ and I’m like, ‘Really? So what is AnnaLynne doing right now? I’m curious.’

Several celebrities have spoken with annoyance about trying to carve out their online presence only to be met with impersonators. Kristen Bell joined twitter only to discover her name was taken by someone who was using her picture, but obviously not her. The person graciously (guiltily, we’d imagine) offered to hand the name over, but Bell decided to assert herself with the name @IMKristenBell. Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother) made his name a similarity assertive one: @ActuallyNPH.

Facebook and Twitter? It’s not me, it’s some crazy person. And don’t pay attention to them. There you go, that’s my campaign. – Michelle Trachenberg to Small Screen Scoop

Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder (The Vampire Diaries) were having such troubles getting fans to know which twitter accounts were theirs they provided photographic proof. Dobrev is now found at @NinaDobrev (previously, she felt the need to assert herself as @Real_NinaDobrev) and Somerhalder is at @IanSomerhalder.

Interestingly enough, it’s not just celebrities who get angry. Companies get angry too. Erika Christensen (Parenthood) tweeted this gem: